Flush valve



Aug. 13, 1957 c. J. WANGER 2,802,218

' FLUSH VALVE Filed June 28. 1956 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CLAUDE J. WANGER gkcgu United States Patent C) FLUSH VALVE Claude J. Wanger, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., assiguor, by mesne assignments, to The Flushinaster Corp., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a corporation of Florida Application June 28, 1956, Serial No. 594,501

6 Claims. (Cl. 4-41 This invention relates to improvements in flush valves for the conventional flush tanks used in toilet disposal systems.

The invention contemplates an assembly of parts for use with the conventional flush coupling and the conventional upright overflow pipe and whereby to dispense with the usual ball float and associated valve mechanism commonly now employed.

The invention further contemplates a unit including a water supply tube and a tank refilling unit having a valved head portion that is engaged and connected with the upper end of the usual overflow pipe in combination with an overlying and vertically shiftable tube that functions to control the valve in the head portion and that is actuated in a downward direction under the influence of the Water release rubber valve when the toilet is to be flushed and whereby to open the valve in the head portion for refilling the tank.

The invention further contemplates a novel arrangement of tubes whereby the outlet end of the refill tube is disposed adjacent the bottom of the tank to successfully eliminate the usual sound of refilling.

The invention further contemplates a bypass tube from the valve chamber in the head portion and whereby to function as a means to furnish the normal water level in the toilet bowl after flushing and to also serve as a means to prevent a siphoning action within the tank.

The invention further contemplates the use of the overlying and vertically shiftable tube as a float whereby to govern the level of the water within the tank when it is being refilled.

Primarily, the invention eliminates the old and well known valve mechanisms, including the usual and well known ball float, is quiet in operation and is adapted to be assembled with the presently installed overflow pipe and flush coupling with a minimum of effort and at a minimum cost.

The invention contemplates the improved unit that comprises the head portion, the fluid supply pipe and the tank filler pipe together with a guide plate that is dimensioned to engage over the presently installed overflow pipe and to be fixed with respect thereto in any desirable manner and thereby furnish a unit, together with the overlying tube and a flush valve and whereby the complete mechanism may be packaged and sold as a replacement for the old and well known mechanisms now employed in flush tanks.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of a conventional flush tank showing the invention connected thereto,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the .device in connected ice assembly with the flush coupling and the overflow pipe, the flush tank being shown in section,

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure l, the tank construction being omitted,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the parts moved to the fully flush position,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an assembly of tubes and associated mechanism applicable to the overflow pipe and,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a combined float and valve actuating tube.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a conventional flush tank, usually formed of vitreous material and having a bottom 6. The bottom 6 is apertured substantially intermediate its length, as at 7 for the reception of a conventional flush coupling 8. The flush coupling 8 embodies the usual tapered seat and the lateral channeled wing portion 9 that supports a vertically disposed overflow pipe 10. The bottom 6 is also apertured at 11 for the passage of a coupling 12 for connection with a source of water supply, not shown. The front wall of the tank is apertured in the usual manner for the support of trip mechanism including an outer trip arm 13 and an inner trip arm 14. Trip arm 14 is connected to a flush valve 15 through the medium of a preferably flexible linkage 16. The structure so far described, with the possible exception of the linkage 16 is all conventional.

Detachably engaged with the overflow pipe 10, in a manner to be presently described is a substantially rigid unit, indicated as a whole by the numeral 17, see particularly Figure 6. The unit 17 embodies a pair of pipe members 18 and 19. The pipes 18 and 19 are rigidly connected to a cylindrical head 20, as by welding or the like. The pipe 18 seats within a recess 21. Axially disposed'with respect to the recess 21 and the pipe 18 is a beveled valve seat 22, communicating with a chamber 23. Movable toward and from the seat 22 is preferably a ball valve 24, having a valve stem 25 that extends upwardly through a port 26 whereby to dispose its upper end above the head 20 and in the line of movement of an actuating device, presently to be described. The chamber 23, is extended laterally to communicate with a cylindrical chamber 27, that is concentric to a cylindrical recess 28 wherein is fixedly disposed the upper end of the pipe 19. It will thus be apparent, that when the valve 24 is un seated, water will flow under pressure past the seat 22, through the chamber 23 to be discharged downwardly from the chamber 27 and through the pipe 19 for discharge from a preferably beveled open end 19a of the pipe 19 and whereby the tank will be refilled. It is to be pointed out, that the discharge end 19a terminates adjacent the bottom of the tank and whereby the refilling of the tank will be substantially noiseless due to the immersion of the outlet end of the pipe 19. The head 20 is vertically apertured throughout its height as indicated at 29 and with the aperture having a relatively snug engagement over the upper open end of the overflow pipe 10. The head 20 inwardly from the aperture 29 is provided with a port 30, receiving a substantially L-shape and relatively small bypass tube 31 and with the port 30 communicating with the chamber 23. The downturned end of the tube 31 depends into the upper end of the pipe 10 and serves as a medium whereby to furnish a predetermined level of water within the toilet bowl after the valve 15 has again seated. The tube 31 serves the dual purpose as a bowl refill means and as a means to prevent an air-lock within the mechanism that might serve to setup a siphon action in the tank, should the flow mechanism to be presently described, fail to function and permit the actuation of the valve 24. The pipes 18 and 19 are further held in closely parallel relation by a cylindrical ring 32, that is identical in diameter with the head 20 and with the ring 32 together with the head 20 serving as guide means for the vertical shifting movement of a control tube 33, see particularly Figure 7. The ring 32 is provided at diametrically opposite points with radial lugs 34, having reduced extensions 35, for a purpose to be presently described.

' The tube 33 is open at its bottom and is provided with a closed head 36. The head 36 is apertured at 37 and with the aperture being arranged to be coaxial with the aperture 29, in operation. The tube 33 is preferably formed of plastic or other non-corrosive material and of relatively light weight. The tube 33 is adapted to be positioned over the assembly of pipes 19, 18 and 19, the head 20 and the ring 32 and is adapted to have a freely sliding fit thereon. The lower extremity of the tube 33 is provided with elongated and diametrically oppositely arranged slots 38 and with the slots at assembly being vertically shiftable upon the lugs 34 whereby the tube may rise and fall without becoming disengaged from the lugs. The tube 33 is provided with an adjustable band of floatation material 39, formed of any suitable material calculated to provide buoyancy to the tube. The band 39 frictionally engages the tube 33 whereby it may be adjusted to a desired point in accordance with the maximum level of water within the tank. The head 36 has contacting engagement with the valve stem and in the uppermost position permits the ball valve 24 to fully seat upon the seat 22 under the influence of the pressure of water in the pipe 18. In the lower flush position, the head 36 depresses the valve stem 25 to unseat the ball 24 to permit of a flow of water from the pipe 18 to the filler pipe 19 and during such filling action, water obviously will flow through the tube 31 to be discharged through the coupling 8 to replenish the supply of water within the toilet bowl prior to the closing of the valve 24. The tube 33 is provided with a pair of wing portions 40, preferably formed integral with the tube. The wing portions 40 terminate at corresponding sides of the slots 38.

Connected with the stem portion 15a of the valve 15,

as by a screw 41, is a yoke 42. The yoke 42 includes a L pair of spaced apart and preferably parallel arms 43 that are apertured adjacent their free ends for the reception of the extensions of the lugs 34. The arms 43 at their terminal ends are beveled as at 44 whereby to form oppositely arranged cams that engage upon the upper sides of the Wings 4% when the valve 15 is unseated under the influence of the link 16, for a flushing action of the tank. When the valve 15 is unseated, the cam surfaces 44 act upon the wings to force the tube 33 downwardly to thereby unseatthe valve 24. When the water has dropped to a predetermined level, or, to a point below the band 39, the tube 33 will remain in the lower position irrespective of the valve 15. When the tank has been emptied, the valve 15 will drop downwardly under the influence of its own weight to thereby close the coupling 8, while the tube 33 will maintain the valve 24 open to replenish the water within the tank until such time as the tube is again elevated by the floatation band 39. The arms 43 have sufiicient spring-tension whereby they may be spread sufficiently apart to engage and disengage the extensions 35, for installation and removal of the valve 15 and the yoke 42. It will be apparent, that all of the parts employed shall be of materials that are non-corrosive to the action of chemicals within the water. The tube 18 is angled at its lower end as at 18a and the free end of the tube is provided with a threaded coupling 45 that is connected to the coupling 12 in the usual and well known manner.

In use, when the device of this invention is to be substituted for the old and well known valve mechanisms now employed, the operator removes the old valve assembly together with the old and well known floatball. The

assembly, including the pipes 18 and 19, the valve supported head 20, and the fixed ring 32 are then engaged over the top of the overflow pipe 10, where it is secured against movement in any desirable manner such as a set screw, not shown. While the ring 32 may be soldered to the pipes 18 and 19, it also follows that this ring may likewise be fixed with respect to the pipes 18 and 19 by set screws. It is desirable however that the upper ends of the pipes 18 and 19 have a press fit engagement within the recesses 21 and 28. The coupling 45 is then connected to the coupling 12 to furnish a connection for the water supply. After the assembly 17 has been fixed in position and the coupling 45 connected with the coupling 12, the tube 33 is moved downwardly over the head 20 and the ring 32, engaging theslots 38 over the lugs 34. The yoke 42, having been first connected with the stern 15a, is then connected to the extensions 35 by springing the arms 43 outwardly to engage over the extensions, thus fur'nishing'a pivotal support for the yoke and the valve 15. The position of the extensions 35 provides an accurate pivotal motion for the valve 15 to assure that the valve 15 will be accurately seated within the coupling 8 at all times. Now, when the toilet is to be flushed, the crank 13 is actuated, shifting the arm 14 upwardly and lifting the valve 15 to the position shown in Figure 4. When the valve 15 is shifted upwardly, its own buoyancy will prevent it being again seated under the influence of the flow of water through the coupling 8. When the valve 15 is shifted upwardly, the cam portion bear upon the wings 40, shifting the tube 33 downwardly and depressing the valve stem 25 to unseat the valve 24. Water will then flow through the pipe 18, the chambers 23 and 27 and downwardly through the filler pipe 19 to be discharged adjacent the bottom of the tank. When the water in the tank has dropped to a predetermined level, the valve 15 will fall downwardly and close the coupling 8 against further discharge. Water continues to flow through the pipes 18 and 19 until it has reached a predetermined level that causes the band 39 to move the tube 33 upwardly and, at a predetermined level of water, the stem 25 will be fully released and the pressure of the water serves to securely close the ball valve 24. During the filling operation, water is constantly flowing through the tube 31 to replenish the water within the toilet bowl and such flow will continue until the valve 24 has fully seated.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel arrangement of fiush tank valve mechanism has been employed. The parts are few and simple, are strong, durable and the movable parts are such as to require no attention and provide a very novel flush valve that is quite in operation and free from any possibility of a siphoning action. The structure is cheap to manufacture and relatively inexpensive to install.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device of the character described for controlling the filling of toilet flush tanks and wherein the tank is provided with a flush coupling, an overflow pipe and 21 resilient buoyant check valve, the device embodying a substantially rigid unit that includes a water supply pipe, 21 water discharge pipe and a cylindrical head that is rigidly connected to the upper ends of the pipes, the several pipes being closely adjacent and parallel, the head being provided with a chamber communicating with the inlet and discharge pipes, a valve seat in the head and a valve movable toward and from the seat, the valve opening in a direction in opposed relation to the flow of water in the water supply pipe, the said valve controlling the flow of water from the water supply pipe to the discharge pipe, a guide devicefixed to the pipes adjacent their lower portions and whereby the several pipes are held in their parallel relation, the said guide device being cylindrical and coaxial to the head, a float tube engageable over the head and the guide device for vertical guiding shifting movement, means operable under the influence of a downward movement of the float tube for shifting the valve to an open position and whereby water will flow to the discharge pipe for filling the tank, trip means for the resilient check valve, means connected to the resilient valve and the guide and whereby to shift the float tube downwardly when the resilient valve is actuated to open position and whereby to unseat the head valve, the said last named means causing the resilient check valve to be guided to its seating position with respect to the flush coupling.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the overflow pipe is open at its upper end, the said cylindrical head being vertically apertured for positioning over the upper end of the overflow pipe, the said guide device being also apertured for engagement over the overflow pipe, the said float tube having an upper closed end portion that is apertured to be coaxial to the aperture of the cylindrical head and the open end of the overflow pipe.

3. A device of the character described for use with a toilet flush tank having a fluid coupling and a source of water connection, an upstanding overflow pipe carried by the coupling, a tank refill unit for the tank that comprises a water inlet pipe and a water discharge pipe, a cylindrical head that is recessed to fixedly receive the upper ends of the inlet and discharge pipes and the overflow pipe, the head being chambered, and communicating with the recesses for the inlet and discharge pipes, the recess for the water inlet pipe being provided with a bevelled valve seat, a valve for controlling the flow of water to the chamber, the valve being provided with a valve stem that projects upwardly through an aperture in the head, the said valve opening in a direction in opposition to the flow of Water through the inlet pipe, a cylindrical g lide plate that is apertured to engage over the several pipes, the said guide plate having a diameter substantially identical to the head and coaxial therewith, a float tube for governing the maximum level of water in the tank, the float tube being dimensioned to have vertical shifting movement upon the head and the guide plate, the said tube having an apertured head portion, the said valve stem underlying the last named head portion and whereby the valve is unseated when the float tube is in a lower position, the said valve being automatically seated by pressure of the water in the inlet pipe when the float tube is in an upppermost position, a resilient buoyant check valve for the flush coupling, trip means for the last named valve, means connected with the resilient valve and the guide plate whereby the last named valve is shiftable in a vertical arc toward and from the flush coupling, the said last named means serving to depress the float tube when the resilient valve is tripped to a flush position and whereby to unseat the first named valve.

4. The structure according to claim 3, wherein the first named valve is in the form of a sphere, the said valve stem projecting above the cylindrical head and in the path of downward movement of the closure head of the float tube, the said means connected with the resilient valve being in the form of a yoke having arm extensions, the said arms being pivotally connected to the opposite edges of the guide plate, and whereby to swing in a vertical plane, the lower end of the float tube being provided with wing portions that underlie the ends of the arms, the said arms having their terminal ends bevelled to form cams that engage the said wings when the yoke is shifted upwardly under the influence of the tripping of the resilient valve to flush position and whereby the float tube is depressed for unseating the first named valve, the float tube being upwardly slotted at its lower end for shiftable engagement over the pivotal connections of the yoke and whereby to prevent rotation of the tube.

5. The structure according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical head is provided with an aperture that communicates with the chamber and the aperture that receives the overflow pipe, an L-shaped tube engaging the first named aperture and that is downturned to engage in and lie closely adjacent to the inner wall of the overflow pipe and whereby to form a source of water level in an associated commode while the first named valve is held open.

6. The structure according to claim 3, wherein the float device is in the form of a tube open at its lower end and a band of flotation material adjustable upon the tube and whereby to provide buoyancy to the tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 580,208 Cahill Apr. 6, 1897 891,283 Nelson June 23, 1908 1,281,583 Jones Oct. 15, 1918 

